Sprinkler device

ABSTRACT

A sprinkler device comprises a coupling member opening into a feeder type for supplying water and extending downward therefrom. A sprinkler housing is rotatably mounted on the coupling member and has fins mounted circumferentially therein for rotating the housing about its axis when the water from the feeder pipe impinges upon the fins. The housing tapers substantially conically to its bottom end and has a pair of nozzles extending diametrically therefrom.

United States Patent [191 Sallows July 29, 1975 1 SPRINKLER DEVICE [75] Inventor: William Sallows, Penticton, Canada [73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization,

Inc., New York, NY. a part interest [22] Filed: June 21,1974

[21] Applv No.: 481,679

[52] US. Cl. 239/102; 239/225; 239/240; 239/383 [51] Int. Cl B05b 3/04; B05b 3/16 [58] Field of Search 239/225, 227, 230, 238, 239/240, 242, 263, 102,228, 231, 233, 237, 239, 380-389 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,647,015 7/1953 Bcrlyn 239/102 X 2,766,065 10/1956 Joyslen 239/227 3,416,732 12/1968 Reiter 239/227 3,437,271 4/1969 Hammelmann 239/227 3,473,736 10/1969 Heitzman 239/102 X 3,762,648 10/1973 Deines et al. 239/102 X Primary Examinr -Robert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent,br FirmDaniel Jay Tick 57 ABSTRACT A sprinkler device comprises a coupling member opening into a feeder type for supplying water and extending downward therefrom. A sprinkler housing is rotatably mounted on the coupling member and has fins mounted circumferentially therein for rotating the housing about its axis when the water from the feeder pipe impinges upon the fins. The housing tapers substantially conically to its bottom end and has a pair of nozzles extending diametrically therefrom.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SPRINKLER DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sprinkler device.

Objects of the invention are to provide a sprinkler device of simple structure, which is inexpensive in manufacture and functions efficiently, effectively and reliably as a sprinkler.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view, partly in section, of an embodiment of the sprinkler device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section. of the sprinkler of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a plane at right angles to the plane of the view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view, taken along the lines IIIIII, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along the lines IVIV, of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the lines VV, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates the positions of components of the sprinkler device of the invention during operation;

FIG. 7 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of the lower part of the housing of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a view, partly in section and on an enlarged scale, of the upper part of the housing of FIG. 1.

In the FIGS, the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The sprinkler device of the invention comprises a feeder pipe 1 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 8) for supplying water. A coupling member 2 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 8) opens into the feeder pipe and extends downward therefrom.

A sprinkler housing 3 (FIGS. 1 to 8) is rotatably mounted on the coupling member 2 via a flange 21 around the bottom of said member. A plurality of fins 4, and so on, (FIGS. 1 and 2) are mounted circumferentially in the sprinkler housing 3 for rotating the housing about its axis 5 (FIG. 1) when water from the feeder pipe I impinges upon the fins. The sprinkler housing 3 tapers substantially conieally to its bottom end 6 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7) and has a pair of nozzles 7 and 8 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 7) extending substantially diametrically therefrom.

In accordance with the invention, a first plate 9 (FIGS. 1. 2, 4 and 8) is substantially coaxially positioned in the housing 3. The first plate 9 has a hole 10 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 8) formed therethrough spaced from the axis of the housing 3. A second plate 11 (FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 8) is substantially coaxially positioned in the sprinkler housing 3 and is affixed to the inside of the housing and spaced below and affixed to the first plate 9. The second plate 11 has a hole 12 (FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 8) formed therethrough and spaced farther from the axis 5 of the housing than the hole 10 of the first plate 9.

A piston 13 (FIGS. I and 2) is positioned substantially coaxially in the sprinkler housing 3. A substantially helical spring 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is affixed to the bottom of the piston 13 and urges it upward against the weight of water urging it downward. The water urges the piston downward from an uppermost position to a lowermost position. The spring 14 urges the piston 13 against the weight of the water. The uppermost position of the piston 13 is shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 and in broken lines in FIG. 2 and its lowermost position is shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 and in solid lines in FIG. 2.

A tube 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2) outside the sprinkler housing 3 opens at one end into the housing above the lowermost position of the piston 13 and opens at the other end into the housing below the lowermost position of the piston.

The first plate 9 clears the inside of the sprinkler housing 3, so that said housing may rotate without obstruction. A support 16 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 8) is affixed to the bottom of the first plate 9 and to the top of the second plate 11. The second plate 11 is of sufficiently large dimension to form an opening in the hole 12 formed therethrough. The second plate 11 is affixed to the inside of the sprinkler housing -3 by screws 17 and 18 (FIG. 2) so that it may be removed for cleaning. The fins 4, and so on, are substantially L-shaped and are spaced from each other substantially equidistantly around the inside of the housing 3. A small tube 19 (FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 8) extends through the second plate 11 and directs water therethrough against the fins 4, and so on, to rotate the sprinkler.

When the water is drained from the area above the second plate 11, there is an interval during which no water is directed through the small tube 19 to the fins 4, and so on. When the piston 13 is at its lowermost position, as shown in FIG. 2, enough water is left in the area above the second plate 11 to maintain rotation of the sprinkler housing 3 until the main stream of water is reinstituted. When the piston 13 is forced down to its lowermost position by the weight of water on it, it contracts the spring 14 until it reaches the hole of the outside tube 15. The water is then released through the outside tube 15 to the bottom of the sprinkler housing 3 and is directed through the nozzles 7 and 8. A breather (not shown in the FIGS.) is provided to build up pressure in the lower area of the sprinkler housing 3 due to the movement of the piston 13 in said housing. The breather may comprise any suitable known device such as, for example, a substantially disc type member having a plurality of small holes formed therethrough in spaced relation to permit the escape of water. A lip 20 (FIG. 1) is provided on the inside of the housing 3 for stopping the downward movement of the piston 13 just before it reaches the breather.

When the housing 3 rotates, it rotates the first plate 9 so that the hole 10 therethrough directs water from the feeder pipe 1 into the area above the second plate 11 and through the small tube 19 to impinge upon the fins 4, and so on, to rotate the housing.

In FIG. 1, there is no flow of water, due to the position of the first plate 9 obstructing the opening of the coupling member 2. FIG. 2 shows the positions of the components when there is a flow of water. The piston 13 is forced down by the weight of water to its lowermost position and water flows through the outside tube 15 to the lower part of the housing 3 and is directed through the nozzles 7 and 8.

The piston 13 is continuously moved up and down and builds up pressure during such movement. The opening and closing of the coupling member 2 by the first plate 9 and the force of the spring 14 cause the up and down movement of the piston 13. The piston 13 is moved up as the water is drained from the area beneath it in its lowermost position. The up and down movement of the piston causes air to be drawn in via the breather. When the piston 13 moves downward, a fine spray of water is emitted via the breather and waters an area of approximately 4 or 5 feet.

While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment. I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: 1. A sprinkler device. comprising a feeder pipe for supplying water; a coupling member opening into the feeder pipe and extending downward therefrom; and a sprinkler housing rotatably mounted on the coupling member and having fins mounted circumferentially therein for rotating the housing about its axis when water from the feeder pipe impinges upon the fins, said housing tapering substantially conically to its bottom end and having a pair of nozzles extending substantially diametrically therefrom. 2. A sprinkler device as claimed in claim 1, further LII comprising a first plate substantially coaxially positioned in the housing, said first plate having a hole formed therethrough spaced from the axis of the housing. and a second plate substantially coaxially positioned in the housing and affixed to the inside of the housing spaced below the first plate and affixed to said first plate. said second plate having a hole formed therethrough spaced farther from the axis of the housing than the hole of the first plate.

3. A sprinkler device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a piston movably positioned substantially coaxially in the sprinkler housing and spring means affixed to the bottom of the piston and urging it upward against the weight of water urging it downward from an uppermost position to a lowermost position.

4. A sprinkler device as claimed in claim 3. further comprising a tube outside the sprinkler housing opening at one end into the housing above the lowermost position of the piston and opening at the other end into the housing below the lowermost position of the piston. 

1. A sprinkler device, comprising a feeder pipe for supplying water; a coupling member opening into the feeder pipe and extending downward therefrom; and a sprinkler housing rotatably mounted on the coupling member and having fins mounted circumferentially therein for rotating the housing about its axis when water from the feeder pipe impinges upon the fins, said housing tapering substantially conically to its bottom end and having a pair of nozzles extending substantially diametrically therefrom.
 2. A sprinkler device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first plate substantially coaxially positioned in the housing, said first plate having a hole formed therethrough spaced from the axis of the housing, and a second plate substantially coaxially positioned in the housing and affixed to the inside of the housing spaced below the first plate and affixed to said first plate, said second plate having a hole formed therethrough spaced farther from the axis of the housing than the hole of the first plate.
 3. A sprinkler device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a piston movably positioned substantially coaxially in the sprinkler housing and spring means affixed to the bottom of the piston and urging it upward against the weight of water urging it downward from an uppermost position to a lowermost position.
 4. A sprinkler device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a tube outside the sprinkler housing opening at one end into the housing above the lowermost position of the piston and opening at the other end into the housing below the lowermost position of the piston. 